Rebecca Clarke's Story

Standing over the gurney Kieran kept his gaze intent as he tore open the packaging for a cold compress in his latex gloved hands. His shoulders swayed with the slight shake of the ambulance setting off, the muted sound of the sirens firing up above him. ‘My.. My bones feel sore...’ rising his blue eyes Kieran would offer the sickly pale old woman a soft smile ‘Don’t worry Miss we’ll be there soon.’ Pressing the compress against her forehead he wiped away the dried blood from what seemed to be a fall wound ‘That’s a lovely accent... where are you from young man?’ Keeping his attention on the cut Kieran flashed another soft smile ‘England’ he replied preparing a bandage. ‘I.. I spent time... with an Englishman once.. during the war...’ the old woman trailed off panting. Narrowing his eyes Kieran noticed something in the woman’s hairline, pressing a hand down gently on her hair his eyes widen at the sight of a decayed tooth. This wasn't a fall wound; it was a bite of some sort. Darting his eyes down Kieran’s gaze was met with that of vibrant red and green angry eyes as the woman lurched forward to grab him.

Kieran muffled a yelp as he awoke from his nightmare.

Turning her head fully to him Becky kept a hand on the wheel ‘You alright Kay?’ Leaning forward in the passenger seat Kieran rubbed a hand flat over one of his tired eyes, looking down at his Glock on the dashboard ‘Yeah just another bad one’ he rasped nodding softly.

Travelling in Caleb’s 1972 Dodge pickup they had previously found all they would at Becky’s uncle’s home the day before. Retrieving her 700 rifle and knife she was mortified to see what was once her uncle dragging himself around aimlessly in the backyard, both eyes damaged beyond any sight even for a biter. Seeing that she couldn't bring herself to shoot him Kieran guided her away from the house suggesting they take his truck. By that time it was getting dark, finding a remote convenience store a few miles down the road they barricaded themselves in and held up for the night. It was there Kieran found his Glock.

Kieran failed to get much sleep at the store during the night, Becky gathered that by his nightmare. ‘Are they all in the back of an ambulance?’ she asked in a soft tone. ‘Most of the time, when it isn't Chloe’ he replied, his eyes drifting off out of the window at the trees passing by. Extending her free hand to rest on his shoulder Becky stroked her thumb against his shirt sleeve trying to offer some sense of comfort ‘Sorry Kieran.’ Turning his gaze back to her Kieran smiled softly, placing his hand over hers ‘We’ve all suffered Becky’ his brow knotting slightly with his own words. All Becky did was nod understandably in response, her gaze distracted as she looked out the windscreen ‘Shit’ she sighed.

The road ahead was blocked by cars, corpses littered around them. Dropping her hand from Kieran’s Becky would drop down a gear, slowing the truck to a halt on the side of the road. Killing the engine both of them would stare out at the carnage on the road obstructing their path ‘Do you think there’s any of them out there?’ Kieran asked pulling his Glock from the dashboard. ‘Maybe. I’ll go make a path while you cover me’ Becky replied as she opened the door ‘No wait, you've got that rifle. Why don’t you stay here and keep me covered while I do it?’ Kieran suggested. Looking out at the wreckage Becky nods ‘That works. Once you’re sure it’s clear let me know ‘cause I heard an engine noise some miles back I didn’t like, should probably pop the hood and check.’

Swinging both doors open they set about their tasks. Becky walked to the flat bed of the truck to pull out her Remington 700, checking chamber and snapping the bolt into place. Kieran with his Glock in one hand and crowbar in the other approached the wreckage cautiously, his eyes scanned for any possible movement. Leaning against the hood Becky also kept a watchful eye, narrowing her eyes at a large manor in the distance ahead. Having checked around the wrecked cars Kieran found no threat, deciding that two t-boned cars were the ones blocking the way. Looking to Becky he called out ‘No-one’s here’ to which she raised a thumb, slinging her rifle over her shoulders and leaning into the now open hood.

(( Same location as Tia some time after hunters left, agreed OOCly in PMs ))

Tia was drifting in and out of consciousness. She heard shots, yells and groans... then nothing... then silence bar the wind rustling the hedges next to the road... then nothing... then an engine idling. Tia blinked her eyes, shook her throbbing head. People. She heard two doors open and gently close, and the distinct sound of a rifle bolt action. She fought her instinct to stay hidden. She should at least try and get a look at this new threat.

She inched out of the drain and crouched, her head level with the blacktop. Despite her blurring vision, she saw a pair of workboots approaching the T-boned cars she'd hurdled earlier. She inched further into cover as a man with dark red hair crept into view, holding a handgun and an iron bar. That meant two men at least, this one and the one with the rifle. Could be trouble.

Just as Tia was about to slink back to her hiding places, the man turned and called back to his buddy 'No-one's here'. He had a blue and yellow patch on his back. Unable to focus properly, she couldn't make it out, but it looked like he was some kind of state responder. He moved back towards his vehicle and Tia, stomach lurching, dragged herself up onto the road for a better look. Crouching behind a sleek, shiny new Prius, its interior spattered with blood and gore, she saw the new arrivals' pick-up. A woman with long dark hair had her head under the open hood. She looked nearly as tall as her companion, and had her rifle slung on her back.

Tia made a quick calculation. There was a big house nearby which looked safe, but there was something wrong with her, probably exhaustion, and she didn't know if she'd make it alone. Besides, there might be freaks there too. This couple might be dangerous, there was no knowing, but a man and a woman together was a lot less dangerous than two men. She drew her gun and, knees buckling, lent on the Prius to pull herself into a stand. The heavy revolver dragged her right shoulder down; there was no way she could have lifted it to fire, so she dropped it with a clatter.

'Hey,' she called, parched throat muffling her voice. 'Hey, over here,' she tried again. Her vision blurred red, and then came back. Her pulse roared in her ears. 'Hey, I'm Tia. There's a house over there looks safe. I ain't been bit, don't shoot me.' With that, all the sound in the world went out, Tia slammed face first into the hood of the Prius and slid down into a tangle of thin limbs on the road.

The familiar smell of grease and gasoline was comforting in Becky nostrils as she glanced around the engine for any loose or damaged components, arching an eyebrow she noticed the cam belt was fraying and wasn't looking too great. This could be a problem, cam belts can be interchangeable and easy to find but if they break en-route that puts the vehicle out of action. Last thing she wanted if biters were around. Running her fingers along the damage Rebecca examined around the belt sighing softly to herself, it wouldn't last twenty miles.

Looking under the two cars Kieran checked for any biters that might have gotten wedged in between, he'd seen it before and it became a real pain in the arse when trying to move wrecks. Happy the underneath was clear he stepped over to the side of the hatchback, the car that had smashed into the side of a saloon. Pressing a shoulder against the framework Kieran grunted as he slowly moved the city car backwards, making room between them.

Becky had repositioned the belt slightly keeping the frayed edge a little clear from the cams, pondering for a moment she wasn’t convinced that would affect its durability much. It was then she heard a metallic clatter in the distance, Kieran couldn’t be ditching that gun already surely. Standing up from the hood Becky looked out watching Kieran move the city car, the young girl’s first word was lost of them but the second greeting rang loud and clear.

Looking over at the Prius Kieran raised his gun half way, slowing at the sight of the young and seemingly unarmed girl. Becky wasted no time in slinging her rifle into her hands and aiming intently down the iron sights ‘Watch her Kay!’ she barked out. Kieran could see the girl was in a bad state as she spoke, silently relieved that she wasn’t a biter. Before he had the chance to reply Tia’s head virtually bounced off the hood as she collapsed to the floor.

Moving swiftly over to Tia’s side Kieran scanned his eyes over her, pressing two fingers against her neck and checking his wristwatch ‘What the hell are you doing!?’ Becky called out, her rifle still up. ‘She’s dehydrated. She needs fluids.’ He replied. Noticing the large revolver on the floor near the girl Becky’s eyes widen as a walker rose from the blacktop behind the now cleared accident.

‘Stay down!’ Becky shouted as she steadied her rifle, standing upright the biter gargled blood at Kieran before the echoing thud of Becky’s rifle splattered half the man’s head sending him crashing hard to the ground. Based on her pulse, skin colour and temperature it didn’t take long for Kieran to double-check it was severe dehydration, just to be sure. The sound of Becky reloading her bolt action rang out high pitched as her spent cartridge bounced to the ground ‘We need to go!’ she called out dropping another biter on the road behind him.

Kieran couldn’t leave Tia there; he knew that wasn’t what Becky would have wanted either, even if she was more concerned for their own skin in that very moment. Digging his Glock into his pocket Kieran slung Tia’s limp form over his shoulder in a firearm’s carry. Snatching up his crowbar and the revolver in his free hand he didn’t hesitate to move quickly towards the truck. Grunting under the strain of the young girl’s form as he dashed to the vehicle, he wasn’t exactly ripped after all.

Briefly darting her eyes to Kieran and the girl Becky stepped backwards to the driver’s door firing a shot as yet another biter came into view behind a wreck. Opening the flat bed Kieran dropped Tia into the back before stepping up into the bed and sitting beside her unconscious body ‘She said something about a house up ahead.’ Sitting down into the cab Becky replied ‘There’s a manor up the hill, we’ll head there’ slamming the door shut and firing up the engine.

Moving Becky’s duffel bag to act as a pillow for Tia Kieran pulled his first aid kit out of his backpack checking it for any supplements while Becky drove clear of the wrecks, no luck. Grunting disapprovingly Kieran opted for his water bottle, tilting small amounts into the girl’s open mouth. It wouldn’t revive her but it would keep her stable till they got to the manor, all Kieran needed was some typical sugar and salt to make an improvised electrolyte replacement mixture.

Luckily the road was reasonably clear on the ascent to the mansion. After giving Tia some slow mouthfuls of water from his bottle Kieran slipped Tia’s revolver into his backpack along with his medical kit and water bottle before giving Becky a handful of .308s through the cab’s back window from her bag. ‘Remind me why we picked her up?’ Becky called back through the window, keeping her eyes on the road. ‘Because I wasn’t going to leave her for the biters Becky, you wouldn’t have either if I know you at all’ he replied with a firm tone. ‘Fair enough’ Becky replied. Looking over the cab Kieran spoke through the window again ‘It is far you think? Maybe she knows people there.’ Throwing the speedometer a glance Becky takes an educated guess ‘Couple of miles or so.’

Turning the ’72 Dodge truck off the road Becky slowed the truck to a crawl as they approached the mansion. Making sure all his kit was in the backpack Kieran threw it over his shoulders, double checking his Glock was still in his jeans’ pocket before lifting up Tia in both arms in front of him. Bringing the truck to a halt Becky was quick to open the door, kneeling down behind it she loaded her rifle back up to the full five rounds. Stepping down from the back of the flat bed Kieran walked around to stand near the outstretched door Becky was shielding herself with ‘What are you doing Kay?’ she whispered sharply. Tia limp in his arms in front of him Kieran rested her against his chest as he spoke ‘She might know someone in there.’ Kieran hoped. He was risking that if they were armed they wouldn’t quickly shoot at a man helping a child even if they didn’t know her.

Becky outstretched an arm pressing down on the horn ever slightly, hopefully just enough to catch attention of the house rather than the whole area. Keeping low behind the door Becky looked up at Kieran before eyeing the door just over the bottom of the door’s window, rifle in both hands ready.

Seeing the door begin to open Kieran took a step forward calling out

‘We need help, this girl is badly dehydrated. Do you know her? Her name is Tia.’

Xander put his hand to his face and sighed. He didn't need this many people bothering him. He looked up and said, "You get one night. Take a room up stairs. I don't want any trouble. I have a sister to protect." Xander looked out a window and saw the truck pulling up. "SHIT, what the hell. Are we having a party here? I'll crank some tunes, attract some walkers and make a real shindig. This had better be good." That's when the horn went off. "Somebody has a death wish." He spied on the truck. Xander turned to Katie and said, "Cover me from the window, and If I get hit by a bolt. I will kill you." His face was serious.

*Meanwhile*

"I guess you know my name, but It's Lyra." She smiled at the girl. That's when she saw the ferret, she wanted to pet the creature, but didn't want to upset Rena any further, so she ignored him. Lyra listened to her talk about how lucky she was to still have her brother. She agreed, without Xander, she would have died at the hands of her mothers. "I'm happy I have him. He's saved my life on more than one occasion." She lead her to the bathroom and grabbed a towel. "Now lets get the blood off of you." Lyra smiled and started wiping the blood off of her face. "I think your going to have to reapply your make up, but try to stay away from red. I'm personally sick of the color myself." Lyra tried to make a joke. A loud horn came from outside the house. "More visitors, maybe we can get a group going again..."

Xander opened the door and was greeted by shouting. He raised his gun and said, "Could you quiet down, your going to attract a huge crowd of walkers with your noisy car and your yelling." As a sign of peace he raised his hands and slowly put his gun away. However the safety was off. He slowly walked over there trying not to make the girl in the bed get jumpy. He took a quick look over the girl and said, "No, never saw her a day in my life. How do I know that she really is dehydrated. This could be a distraction to lure me out, but you took the great risk of HONKING the horn to get my attention. Take her in. My sisters on the second floor, tell her that I said it's ok to give her water. Use my name, infact. It's Xander by the way." He turned his back to the group and walked towards the front door stairs. He sat down watching the woods. He pulled out his gun and clicked the safety on. Either it's in his waist band with the safety off or in his hand with the safety on.

Kieran widened his eyes at the sight of the man’s pistol, flashing Becky a glance he shook his head slightly suggesting against any ideas she may have had with her own firearm. Extending two fingers from the hand he had wrapped around the Tia’s shoulder Kieran tries his best to sound calm ‘Sorry. We don’t mean you any harm.’ Noticing the man’s gaze Kieran tilted Tia slightly to give him a better look, his brow frowning at his response. ‘No distraction, I promise you that. I’m an EMT I can tell you its dehydration, she’s not bitten.’ During their exchange Becky had her rifle aimed up at the scope shimmering in the window, she wanted to take fewer chances.

Nodding at Xander’s invitation inside Kieran offers him a slight smile as he passes through the front door ‘Thank you. My name’s Kieran, my friend Becky. She’s a mechanic.’ By now Becky had lowered her rifle down to her side and raised a peaceful hand to the scope in the window. Placing the rifle into the flat bed Becky started up the truck again and parked over in front of the mansion’s garage, a small offset structure built away from the house itself. Glancing over at Xander Becky offered him a firm nod before entering the garage via its side door. Cam belt first, introductions second that was her priority.

Kieran made an effort to find sugar, salt and a glass before carrying Tia upstairs. Walking through the hallway Kieran kept his gaze between Tia’s unconscious face and through the doorways of any empty rooms, passing the others as he did so ‘Xander said I can use some water, I have my own too. Please excuse the brief introduction, my name is Kieran I’m a Richmond EMT. My friend’s Becky, she’s outside working on the truck. I need to see to Tia first, if anyone is injured come see me.’ Hopefully his British accent served to compliment his intentions. Shortly after Kieran settled on a bedroom and closed the door behind them.

Placing Tia on the bed Kieran set the glass down filling it with water from his backpack. Adding guessed measures of sugar and salt he stirred the mixture with a nearby pen before feeding it very slowly and carefully into Tia’s mouth. After what seemed like fifteen minutes Kieran was content with the amount Tia had in her system, about half the glass, setting it down on the bedside table. Dragging a chair from the wall Kieran sat down beside the bed, holding Tia’s wrist and checking his watch. The results wouldn’t be immediate but there was a difference already. Arching his head back with a tired sigh he pulled out his Glock and placed it on the windowsill the other side of him, rubbing his face deeply in both hands before resting his eyes.

Katie Halesworth

Though it wasn't funny or pleasant, Katie couldn't help but hide her smile as the boy spoke, and though she knew he was one hundred percent serious, it was the closest to a joke she had heard in a while. She too was surprised by the sudden numbers rising in the group that she had hoped was small. At his words, she sprang to the window, clicking her cross bow into place and calling a small, "come," to Nick. She saw through the window a group of people, one of which looked extremely sick. Shit, she thought, watching them enter. The man carried the nearly unconsious one, and his friend, the one with the rifle, waved a peaceful hand to her. She nodded back, a small sign of hello, but ample, and kept her cross bow ready, looking out the window as the girl parked the car. As she disappeared, she allowed herself to leave the window, her crossbow arm dropping to her side as she looked around, the two new-by's going upstairs. What a motley crew.

She glanced at the boy she had met earlier, Xander, and nodded in his direction. "These your friends?" She asked, moving slightly closer, but just enough so she could see out the door, into the woods. Remembering he had said she could get a room, small goosebumps rose on her back. She hadn't slept in a real room, never mind a bed, in a few weeks. Most of the time, she found some place flat, got in her sleeping back, and slept on Nick. It kept him warm, and gave her a pillow. It worked well enough.

Her attention flashed back to the woods, and she couldn't shake the feeling that there was someone there. But she ignored it, hoping she was wrong.

It was pitch black inside the garage. Finding a light switch near the door frame Becky knocked it into action, florescent tubes began to click and blink into life as they flooded the room with harsh artificial light. Becky pondered if either the mansion’s power grid was still connected or the place was running off its own generator before her lips creased a smirk at the vehicles inside.

Whoever lived here before wasn’t the type to spend a year’s salary on one particular luxury saloon; they had vehicles for different uses.

Closest to her, a bright red 2006 Dodge Charger sat facing the closed garage door. While tame against a muscle car, the standard models not even two-hundred horsepower, its bulky body and sharp styling held a presence. Becky figured the charger would be best suited for parts and gas rather than transport, too loud and impractical.

Next to the Dodge sat a bright blue 2-door Jeep Wrangler with its hood still open. These little things were good off-road, it can seat four people and two of them in an open back, this vehicle seemed much more practical in her mind. Leaning under the open hood Becky examined the state of the engine bay, wires and piping had been disconnected for some reason. Looking over at the other side of the Jeep there was an empty bay, Becky arched an eyebrow; Did the owners leave in a hurry? What did they take? Another SUV perhaps, something for the whole family. On closer inspection Becky kneeled down and pressed a hand against the concrete nodding at the marks left by the wheel span.

‘Hummer... Smart.’ she muttered.

The rest of the garage looked the part, a long workbench at the back flanked by two almost cliché red tool cabinets, an assortment of clean tools hanging from the wall above the bench. Someone was trying harder to impress guests than actually repair their own vehicles, Becky mused. But none the less all the more loot for her own improvised tool kit and a couple of weapons for the others maybe.

After a moment Kieran listened to Xander’s answer raising a hand he spoke softly ‘It’s fine’ arching an eyebrow at the mention of the boy in the cellar. Kieran decided against questioning that, since Becky had pretty much hidden herself away as well. Looking around as Xander mentioned the area being too quiet Kieran nodded ‘Well if you need someone to help with the night watch I volunteer, it’s the least I can do.’ Shortly after Kieran’s words the third garage door opened surprisingly quietly for an electronic shutter, walking over to the men Becky wiped her greasy fingers with a cloth she must have found inside.

‘Becky this is Xander’ Becky nodded to Xander in lieu of a handshake ‘Becky I was just saying to Xander that I’ll help the night watch while you fix the truck’ shaking her head with Kieran’s words Becky retorted ‘Not happening Kay. You’ve barely slept in two days, plus you’re a shit shot anyway.’ Burrowing his brow Kieran replied ‘Becky now is not the time for showing off, you need to fix the truck and I ne-‘ ‘What you need is a night’s sleep Kay. I’m not fighting you on this one.’

Sighing deeply Kieran rubbed a hand over his increasingly exhausted features and nodded in a defeated manner ‘Okay fine.’ Looking to Xander Kieran pointed a thumb to Becky as he spoke ‘Becky served in the 249th Engineer Corp. She’s got a rifle, she’s a pretty good shot with it, saved my arse more then once.’ ‘Better believe it’ she agreed with a faintly smug expression. ‘I’m going to go get my head down then. Call me if you need me.’ ‘We don’t, go’on now.’ Becky smiled, squeezing Kieran’s shoulder softly before he walked into the house.

Looking to Xander Becky jerked her head pointing to the garage ‘There’s a Charger and a Wrangler in there, I wouldn’t suggest using the Charger, as pretty as she may be that noisy bitch will get the biters on us in no time. The Wrangler needs some work doing but I can do that till you want me to take over watch. Sound good to you chief?’

After Xander’s response Becky turned back towards the garage, stopping midway she looked over her shoulder and asked ‘One more thing, did you happen to start a genny up when you got there Xander? The lights in the garage are working.’

"A genny..." Xander was confused until she mentioned the fact that power was on in the garage, "Oh, a generator. No, we didn't turn one on. Too much noise couldn't risk it. I didn't find one either. However I didn't a good chance to look around yet. Hence the fact there was a bunch of walkers in the basement that I had no idea about." He was clueless about why the power was on. "There could have been a back up that's still running, but I highly doubt it." He still needed to figure out watch. He would take the first shift, maybe let Katie have second, "You can have the third and final shift. That way you can have ample time to work on your truck and the jeep. I'll help you push your truck in the garage when I get back from checking on my sister." He rubbed his eyes and headed back to the main part of the house. He wanted to check up on his sister and to see how the two girls were doing. Xander started up the stairs.

Meanwhile...

Lyra shot up and headed towards to where their stuff was. She dug through her bag and pulled out a water bottle. She tossed it up in the air and caught it with a little smile on her face. She went back to where the others were and unscrewed the bottle and handed it to the girl, "Here drink this very slowly. In fact, take a sip and swish around in your mouth. Then swallow." She heard footsteps coming up the stairs. "Rena, stay here with Tia. I'll be back," She left the room and closed the door behind her. She looked down the stairs and saw her brother's face. He flashed her a quick smile and was soon reached the top of the stairs.

"How's our patients?" Xander asked leaning up against the wall. He tried to keep his voice low so that they wouldn't hear him.

"Honestly, Tia doesn't look great. She's still severely dehydrated. Rena on the other hand is just shaken up." Lyra said leaning on the same wall and put her head on his side.

"So, I'm guessing Rena was the one smoking, Tia doesn't look the type." Xander said as his fingers was rapping on the wall.

"Yeah, I didn't see what type they were. All I know is they aren't your brand." Lyra sighed. When he ran out of cigarettes, for the first week he had gotten snappy and often flipped out on the others in their group.

"So, what do you think about joining up with these people? I know it's a bit of a stretch but, I think you will be safer in a group than with just me." Xander sighed, he really wanted to keep her safe. Even if he died tonight, he could die happy knowing that she was safe for the time being.

"I wouldn't be opposed to it, but even it was just you and me it would be just fine too." Lyra looked up and smiled at her big brother.

"Alright, that's two votes to joining a group. We'll talk about it in the morning with the others, right now I need a cigarette. Go back to Tia and Rena, and I'll be in shortly." Xander said getting away from the wall. He headed to the same room that Lyra got the water bottle and grabbed his entire pack. He followed his sister back into the room. "Rena, I really would like a pack of cigarettes, I'll trade you for one. Take anything you want from my backpack," He said as he dropped his pack on the ground. He turned to Tia, "You get to bed as soon as possible. You need your rest. That's not a request that's an order, and don't try to fight me on this one." He didn't care if he sounded harsh it was how the world worked. If you weren't up to snuff, then you aren't going to make it.

Kieran was fast asleep. He managed to find a couch in a sitting room near the front door; he wanted to be within shouting distance of Becky in case anything happened.

After both men went inside Becky turned back into the house to retrieve car keys for the garage as well as Kieran’s backpack from upstairs, these people seemed okay so far but she didn’t want their medical supplies to suddenly disappear. As she walked back over to the garage Becky thought it was strange that Xander hadn’t found a generator yet, where was the power coming from? Setting Kieran’s pack down in the truck’s flat bed Becky grabbed her duffel bag in tow before walking through the open shutter door. Before she started working on the vehicles Becky turned off the lights bar the middle one, trying to flood the room in dim light or at least enough for her to work in. If this power was short lived she wanted to erk as much as possible, last thing she wanted was darkness half way through her auto repairs.

If Becky was third on watch that gave her maybe another five or six hours to work with; plenty of time to strip the Charger, fix her cam belt and get the Wrangler up and running. Thankfully she had a decent sleep the night before plus Becky was used to working to a deadline before the outbreak, on tour the hadjis didn’t wait for hummer repairs and neither did the brass.

After searching the tool cabinets Becky managed to find a garden hose and an empty gas can, it didn’t take her long to siphon the gas from the Charger’s thirsty tank filling the can to the top. Once Xander was finished in the house or with his watch if he decided to come over to the garage he would find Becky leaning under the Jeep’s open hood, deep into her work using both tools from her own bag and off the bench as she worked on reconnecting the engine. However if Xander had decided against coming over to the garage Becky would have assumed that he would help her move the truck in the morning allowing her to continue her work till someone wanted her on watch.

Xander kept a neutral face while Tia snapped at him. The only thing gave away how angry he was, was his right hand curled itself into a fist. Lyra was a bit taken back. She hadn't figured that she would react like that. However, she used to do the same thing when she was younger. Now, she did what her brother told her to do. "Objection noted. I'm the boss here because, I know what it takes to survive in this hell. Now, Lyra will give you something to eat, finish that water bottle and off to bed. I'm done hearing about this." His voice was level the entire time, he then took a deep breath and turned to Rena. His fist released and his attitude changed.

"No sandwich, sorry. Got a can of bread if you want that, if not. Just go through my pack and look for something. You want it, it's yours. Now, I'm going to leave my bag here and take that pack," as he finished talking he lightly grabbed the pack of cigarettes and headed out. He slammed the pack against his hand and opened it. He stuffed the trash in his pocket and grabbed a smoke. He checked his pocket for his lighter and sighed. It died last week. He hadn't gotten the chance to find another one. He decided to search the kitchen. He opened a drawer and found a book of matches. He opened it and saw that there was only 3 left, "Guess, if she has cigarettes then I could bum a light every now and again." He light a match and light his cigarette. As he inhaled the smoke he felt his nerves to calm down. He headed out to the garage.

"Hey Becky. I'm here to help you push that truck. I said I would." Xander said after letting a breath of smoke out.

Meanwhile...

After Xander left Lyra turned to Tia, "I'm sorry about that. He's under a lot of stress, everybody is a lot of stress I guess." Lyra didn't know what to say. She was used to being told what to do. Xander usually knew best. That doesn't mean she didn't have an opinion about the things he choose to do. He didn't have to bark orders, but that's how the world works. Lyra sighed and said, "Alright, we have some of everything here, peaches, pineapples, pears, beans, and bread." Lyra said taking the cans out of Xanders' pack.

Leaning up from the Jeep’s open hood Becky turned her attention to Xander as he approached. Setting her ratchet down on top of the engine block she grabbed up the rag and cleaned her greasy hands as Xander spoke. Nodding in response Becky moved out of the garage, opening the truck driver door she spoke as she let off the hand break and moved to the back of the flatbed beside him ‘Sorry for the dramatics earlier Xander. Kieran was worried about that girl, kept saying about how she needed her electrolytes sortin’ out.’ Shortly after Becky’s response both of them pushed their weight against the back, rolling the truck into the empty garage bay.

Offering Xander a thankful utterance and nod Becky moved back over to the Jeep and continued to work the ratchet on the block ‘There’s quite the cache of tools in here. Figured I would collect some of the bigger and blunter ones for weapons if you think anyone needs them, I’ll be taking some either way if you didn’t want us to stay past the morning.’ Xander hadn’t given her any indication that was the case but she didn’t want to assume they were welcome without any approval.

Regardless of Xander’s response regarding their stay Becky would keep focused on her work and offer a mere nod in acknowledgement. ‘Got the time Xander?’ she asked, listening to his response she turned her eyes over to him as she responded in tow ‘The Charger had a whole gas can’s worth still in it, siphoned it out. Just come over and let me know when you want me to take point for the night.’

Xander stepped outside and looked towards the moon. It wasn't even halfway overhead and it rose a bit after the sun went down. If he had to guess, "It's roughly 7. That's what I can tell. I used to be able to tell the time of day from looking at the sun. I got really good at it." He took a look at the things she said could be used as weapons. Not much, the wrenches could be useful. However, they had certain flaws to them. "If you think they could be good, you can take them. As for watch, keep an ear open for walkers or bandits. So, keep doing what your doing but, be vigilant."

He finished his smoke and tossed it on the ground. He grounded it and headed inside the house. He saw Kieran on the couch and smirked. He headed up the stairs and checked one of the hall closets. He found a pile of blankets. He grabbed them and put a few of them on the ground in front of the room where his sister was. He knocked on the door like he used to when he left her dinner infront of the door. It was the old 'Shave and a Haircut,' knock. He left before Lyra could open the door. He took the rest and headed downstairs. He was going to check to see if that guy in the basement wanted a blanket. It couldn't hurt to ask. As he made his way to the basement he decided to put a blanket on the sleeping EMT. Xander took a quick look at the designs of the blankets and decided to drape the pink floral one on the man. He needed a good laugh. Xander wanted to take a picture. He chuckled as he headed down stairs, "I'm coming down, It's just me." He said as he started down the stairs. He was surprised about how dark it was.

"I brought some blankets. Man, how can you see down here? It's really dark." Xander said as his eyes adjusted to the almost dark. He look around and didn't see the boy. He shrugged and put a blanket on a work bench. He went back up the stairs and decided to look for the boy. He searched the house finding the boy talking to Katie. "I found some extra blankets, I put one in the basement for you. I'm curious on why you have animal bones... Well everywhere?"

Elsewhere...

Lyra grabbed a can of pineapples. She looked at the can and sighed, it was her and her brother's favorite fruit. He would have told her to eat it. Her plan was to give it to him for his dinner. She decided to do what her brother would have told her to do. It was for the best. "Xander... hasn't had the easiest life in the world. I know, by the looks of it... None of us has had an easy life. His life has been harder than mine by a long shot." Lyra said. She started to open the can when Tia cut her finger. She started up but, Lyra realized that she had it under control. "Don't worry sweetie I've seen worse. You just need sleep." Lyra was happy to see her go to her room. She shut the door behind Tia. She finished off her pineapple.

She leaned against the wall and started dozing. She came to her senses when she saw Rena start to get up. She chuckled as she saw her fail. A bit after Rena fell asleep she heard the knock on the door. Lyra smiled as she remembered the times before. She got up and opened the door. There was a stack of three blankets on the floor. She picked one up and threw one over the girl. Lyra thought about the times when Xander would through the holiest of blankets on her when she fell asleep on the couch. She smiled at the memory. She wanted more of the good ones. She took the rest with her as she went to Tia's room. She threw one blanket on the ground and draped the other one around the sleeping girl. She smiled and watched Tia for a few minutes. Lyra turned and left. She was getting tired. It had been a long day. She decided to go back to Rena's room. She laid down and used Xander's pack as a pillow. She got under the blanket and fell asleep.

'I'm home!' Kieran called out as he dropped his keys into a bowl near the front door of the house. Slipping his arms out of the EMT jacket he continued as he settled in from the day's grind 'Had the strangest call today. Some old vagrant attacked a young woman in the park, she's okay through. The old bloke seemed to run off before we got there.' Kieran knotted his brow at the lack of response, walking through to the kitchen he called out 'Chloe? You asleep again?' pouring a glass of cold water from the facet before stepping into the living room. Standing in the doorway Kieran smirked taking a small sip of the glass 'C'mon sweetheart wake up. Some of us have been busy today' he spoke to the back of his wife's head as it sat heavily against the back of the sofa facing the television. 'Chloe?' Kieran rasped with concern and a wet throat as he approached the sofa.

Seeping over his closed lids the sun acted as his saving grace from one of his least favourite slumber topics. Wincing his eyes Kieran's blood shot vision looked square into the source before he shielded the light with a raised hand. Blinking heavily he cleared his throat with a few unpleasant noises behind his closed lips.

Shit. I'm still alive and she's still dead.

Coming to his senses mentally with that thought and physically with adjusting vision Kieran looked over at Tia offering her a thin smile 'You're looking a lot better.'

Meanwhile...

Becky had been busy throughout the night on the vehicles. The truck fixed. The Jeep now up and running, to the point she spent a few hours dismantling the block to make sure there wasn't a single issue. Just in case anyone wanted her on guard anyway. Eventually the physical work drained her, sat upright she fell asleep against one of the Jeep's tires. Rifle cradled over her lap.